Editorial: Get fit worthy goal

Gaurav Saily was born with cerebral palsy but has been training at a gym and working to improve his mobility.

I'm not really a big believer in setting New Year's resolutions but somehow I always find myself vowing to do something different each year.

However, those pledges to be nicer to people or to read more books, or spend more time with family never seem to eventuate and I go back to being a scrooge about the whole thing.

This year I didn't set any New Year's resolutions, but I have set myself a goal of getting into shape and being fitter and healthier.

I don't do as much exercise as I should, I spend too much time catching up on TV shows I want to watch, and I eat too much junk food and takeaways.

I know what I need to do but I have been lacking the motivation to do it.

Last week a colleague showed me a video that inspired me to dust off my running shoes and get some proper exercise.

Sport England has launched a campaign called This Girl Can.

The video had normal women, of all shapes and sizes, getting out there and getting exercise.

If you need some motivation, take a look at the videos.

Later in the week I again found myself being inspired, but this time by someone a lot closer to home.

In Saturday's Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, Rebecca Savory brought us a story about Gaurav Saily. The 22-year-old was born with cerebral palsy and grew up being told his twisted limbs and painful movement would never get better.

But in 2013 the Tauranga man was sick of his disability limiting him from what he wanted to achieve.

He has since been training at a gym and working to improve his mobility.

"Whatever I've wanted to do, I've always had to hold it in. I've always been limited," Mr Saily said.

"I said: 'I'm going to make a new passion. I'm going to better myself'."

Mr Saily has gained 23kg of muscle, lost body fat and now doubled the weights he uses in the gym.

He can now do things for himself that he wasn't able to do and says he feels freer and more confident.

For Mr Saily to overcome huge challenges to achieve this is great inspiration, but also very grounding. I am an able-bodied person, with no excuse, except the ones I invent.

Here's hoping this year I will stick to my own personal goal.